Page 47 of Anders
He helped her from the car, noting with concern how her legs trembled beneath her weight.The mark had stopped glowing so brightly, but her features still flickered occasionally between human and wolf, the partial shift refusing to settle in either direction.
Inside, the cabin was Spartan but comfortable—a main room with a small kitchenette, a separate bedroom, and a basic bathroom.Anders had stocked it with emergency supplies, communications equipment, and enough provisions to last several weeks if necessary.
He helped Etta to the couch, easing her down gently before retrieving a first aid kit from a cabinet and kneeling beside her.Let me look at the mark.
She turned, pulling her hair aside to expose her neck.The mark had changed—what had once been a simple, raised scar was now a complex pattern of interconnected lines, still pulsing faintly, its light red beneath her skin.
Anders examined it carefully, his concern growing with each passing moment.This thing has integrated further into your tissue.Responding to the breakdown of the chemical suppression, maybe?
Can we remove it?Etta asked, her voice small.
Not without understanding it better,Anders said reluctantly.
How can we learn more about it while we’re here?
You can practice shifting—on purpose, because you want to.Not on their schedule.
And then?
Anders gave a small shrug and moved to sit beside her, pulling her carefully into his arms.And then…we see what happens.But we know more than we did yesterday.And tomorrow, we’ll know more than we do today.
I hate just waiting.
As he cupped her face in his hands, Anders was struck again by the fierce protectiveness he felt toward this woman who had suddenly become the center of his world.We should rest.Once we have a better idea what we’re dealing with, I’ll contact Malcolm and Larissa.This is bigger than just us now.
Etta nodded, though he could see the trepidation in her eyes at the thought of bringing others into their confidence.Will they help me?Even knowing what I was sent here to do?
They’ll help you because of what was done to you.Our pack protects its own.
I’m not pack,she pointed out.
Anders’s lips curved in a small smile.You are to me.
She leaned against him, finally relaxing slightly as the mark’s activity seemed to decrease.After a moment of silence, she said,I felt something when those men showed up.Like the mark was trying to make me do something.Report to them, maybe?
Your programming trying to reassert itself,Anders theorized.The chemicals might be breaking down, but the behavioral conditioning could still be intact.
What if I can’t fight it?The fear in her voice tore at his heart.What if I end up betraying you?Betraying your pack?
You won’t.You’re stronger than their programming.Every day you’re reclaiming more of yourself.
He brushed her hair from her face, noticing how her eyes had settled back to their normal blue-green.And you’re not alone in this.I’m with you every step of the way.
She looked up at him, vulnerability and determination warring in her expression.I’m afraid.Not just of what they might do to me, but of what I might be when this is all over.If I’m not who I thought I was for my entire life, then who am I?
You’re Etta.Wolf shifter.Survivor… Mate.The last word slipped out without conscious thought, but he didn’t regret it.The rest, we’ll figure out.
She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his.Thank you for seeing me.The real me, even when I couldn’t see myself.
He held her close on the small couch, feeling her breathing slowly even out as exhaustion claimed her.
Whatever it took, however long it took, he would free Etta from the people who had used her so callously.
And when he found them—the ones responsible for her pain, for violating her mind and body with their experiments—they would learn exactly why wolf shifters had been feared for centuries.
No one hurts my mate and lives to tell about it.
CHAPTER 11
